Reasons Why You Should Quit Smoking

Smoking can have serious effects on your life. The longer you smoke the more damage you do to your body and your health. Most people who begin smoking as teens say that they wish they had never started. The decision to start or continue smoking is all up to you and no one can make you stop, but you should think really hard about whether it is the best thing for your body and your life.

Cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the United States. In fact, cigarette smoking contributes 440,000 deaths annually and is the cause of 87% of all lung cancer deaths. It is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths in both men and women. But all is not lost; stopping the habit in time will lead to a longer life for within twenty minutes of smoking your last cigarette, the body begins a series of healing changes that continue for years. But all these benefits are lost by smoking just one cigarette a day.

Studies have proven that smoking constricts blood vessels and this in turn increases a person’s risk of developing diseases like cardiovascular disease, strokes, cataracts, etc. Not to mention the higher probability of your developing chronic obstructive lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Smoking during pregnancy causes stillbirth, low birth weight and Sudden Infant Syndrome (SIDS or Crib Death). Studies show that the blood gasses of expectant mothers who smoke have lower oxygen levels, which in turn affects the infant’s lower birth weight. Data also showed that infants born of smoking mothers have 30% higher heart rates when compared to children of non-smoking moms. Further more there is also a direct correlation to the infant’s susceptibility to respiratory diseases and the smoking mom due to second hand smoke.

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy can also affect the child’s academic performance in the future. In a study of over 9000 children, they were given tests that evaluated their math and reading abilities. The results showed that the children of mothers who smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day during pregnancy had lower scores in the tests compared to the children of non-smoking mothers.

Other studies conducted in California show that the number of cigarettes that a mother smokes can affect the behavior of her child as he or she becomes older. The children of mothers who smoke during pregnancy tend to exhibit disobedience and have a higher tendency to have conflicts with others as compared to children of non smokers.

The most obvious benefit that you will notice is that you will have more stamina for work and play and life in general. Within minutes of stopping you will start feeling good about yourself, cleaner, given enough time and visit to the dentist whiter teeth will soon become evident, bad breath and stinky clothes will soon be a thing of the past.

And, the best reason to quit smoking is becoming a role model for your loved ones, friends and other smokers. Now, are these not reasons enough for you to quit?